Polk County Sheriff's Office Agricultural Unit deputies arrested and
charged three individuals today (Saturday, Jan. 8, 2000) during an
investigation targeting the shooting of exotic animals in Frostproof. In
December of 1999 John Bullard and Floyd Taylor unlawfully entered the
fenced property belonging to FX Bar Ranch, located at 5001 State Road 630
E., in Frostproof. The two suspects, who entered the property to bait a
hog trap, shot and killed a river water buffalo valued at $5,000.

The investigation also revealed that in December of 1998, John Bullard
and Matthew Cox unlawfully entered property belonging to FX Bar Ranch and
shot and killed a rams head sheep.

All three suspects are also charged in the shooting death of a wild hog
which belonged to FX Bar Ranch.

Arrested were:

John Derrick Bullard, DOB 4/9/82, of 5030 Pineapple Street in Lake
Wales, charged with 3 counts grand theft, 2 counts possession of
firearm during the commission of a felony and 1 count trespassing.